Enter any address in Garfield County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms, often exacerbated by abundant monsoon moisture, is the dominant flood character in Garfield County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA data shows 42 flash flood events and 21 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding and debris flows in August 2023 due to heavy rainfall from slow-moving storms, and flooding of low-lying recreational trails in May 2023 caused by accelerated snowmelt.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,737 and an average water depth of 3.4 feet. While Zone X_UNSHADED has seen fewer claims, with an average payout of $771 and 0.1 feet of water depth, homeowners in all designated flood zones should be aware of potential risks. Residents in Zone A, and those located near drainages or low-lying areas, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Garfield County, Colorado has recorded 63 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 42 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Gulch Fire | Fire | Aug 19, 2020 |
| Grizzly Creek Fire | Fire | Aug 13, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Newcastle Fire | Fire | Jun 19, 2007 |
| Red Apple Fire | Fire | Aug 31, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Co - Panorama Fire - 07/31/02 | Fire | Jul 31, 2002 |
| Coal Seam Fire | Fire | Jun 8, 2002 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2023 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | May 21, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 11, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 24, 2023
Remnants from Tropical Storm Harold lifted across the Desert Southwest. This, combined with already abundant subtropical moisture, resulted in widespread showers and thunderstorms across western Colorado. Storms were slow moving and produced heavy rain. As a result of the heavy rain, some flooding and debris flows occurred in portions of Gunnison, Garfield, Mesa, and Montezuma counties.
Flood — May 21, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on the Colorado River. One such area was Glenwood Canyon, where an individual drowned in a rafting accident.
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2023
Abundant monsoon moisture remained across Western Colorado. This led to another round of showers and thunderstorms across much of the region. Storms were slow moving and produced heavy rain. As a result of the heavy rain, some flash flooding and debris flows occurred in both Garfield and Eagle counties. Additionally, some stronger storms produced large hail up to an estimated inch in diameter n...
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2021
Abundant monsoon moisture remained in place across the Western Slope. As a result, another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms developed across the area with many storms producing heavy rain. This led to several reports of flash flooding and debris flows across portions of west-central and southwest Colorado.
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2020
Monsoonal moisture paired with the support of a passing shortwave aloft produced numerous showers and thunderstorms across western Colorado. Some stronger storms produced heavy rain in a short period of time which led to localized flash flooding in Garfield County.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Garfield County, Colorado:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Garfield County, Colorado that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.